Integration by sector
API integration for logistics companies
A logistics company is a hub between other companies' systems. Shippers want to send bookings from their own order or warehouse systems and see status without phoning. Subcontract carriers and partners receive jobs and must send tracking back. Telematics, warehouse and accounting systems all hold part of the picture. Integration lets bookings arrive without rekeying, turns many partners' tracking messages into one consistent status, and returns proof of delivery to the customer automatically.
This page covers system-to-system connections. Driver apps, client portals and transport software are covered on their own logistics pages.
Illustrative diagram
Transport system
- Shippers
- Bookings in
- Status and POD out
- Partners
- Jobs out
- Tracking in
- Telematics
- Positions
- Timings
- Accounts
- Charges
- Partner costs
A logistics company's connections
| Connection | Information exchanged |
|---|---|
| Shippers' order or warehouse systems | Bookings in; status and proof of delivery out |
| Subcontract carriers and partners | Jobs out; tracking events and POD in |
| Telematics | Vehicle positions and timings |
| Warehouse system | Goods ready for collection; deliveries received |
| Accounting software | Charges, surcharges and subcontractor costs |
Bookings from shippers' systems
Larger shippers prefer to send bookings straight from their systems, through your API, an agreed file exchange or an EDI format they already use. Each route needs validation as the booking arrives: a recognised service, a valid postcode, weights and dimensions within limits, and any required references. Rejecting a bad booking immediately with a clear reason is far better than discovering the problem when a driver arrives.
Smaller shippers without systems are better served by the client portal.
One status set from many partners
Each carrier and partner reports progress in its own terms and codes. Translate them into one status list of your own, such as booked, collected, in transit, out for delivery, delivered and exception, with the partner's original message kept for reference. Shippers then see consistent progress whoever carried the goods, and your team can report on performance across partners.
Map unknown codes to an exception status and alert someone, rather than dropping them.
Passing a job to a partner
Allocate
Job assigned to a partner carrier.
Output: Partner chosen
Send
Job details sent through the partner's API or agreed exchange.
Output: Job accepted
Track
Partner events received and translated.
Output: Consistent status
Complete
Proof of delivery received and stored.
Output: POD on file
Settle
Partner cost matched to the job for payment.
Output: Cost recorded
Proof of delivery back to the customer
When proof of delivery arrives from your driver app or a partner, send it to the shipper's system or make it available in the portal straight away, linked to their reference. Shippers often need it to invoice their own customers, so a delay costs them money and generates calls.
Charges and surcharges
Waiting time, failed deliveries and extra services recorded during the job should reach invoicing with the evidence, so charges are not forgotten and disputes are easier to settle.
Example: tracking across three partners
Illustrative example — not a client case study
Situation: A haulier uses three subcontract carriers for regional deliveries, and its traffic office spends hours checking partners' websites to answer shippers' questions.
- Each partner's tracking feed is connected and its codes are mapped to the haulier's own status list.
- Shippers see one consistent status and proof of delivery in their portal and through their API connection.
- Unmapped codes and jobs with no update for longer than expected appear on an exceptions screen.
What this shows: Tracking calls fell, and the traffic office worked from exceptions instead of checking every job. This example is illustrative.
Connecting a new partner carrier
Technical
- Their job and tracking interfaces documented
- Status codes mapped
- Test jobs exchanged
Operational
- Cut-off times and service levels
- How exceptions are reported
- POD format and timing
Commercial
- Rates linked to jobs
- Disputes process
- Contacts on both sides
Watching for silent failures
Some of the most damaging failures are quiet: a partner's feed that stops, a shipper's bookings that fail validation overnight, proof of delivery that never arrives. Alert on jobs with no update for longer than their service allows, on rejected bookings and on feeds that have sent nothing within their normal interval. A morning summary of exceptions lets the traffic office act before shippers call.
Where to start
Start with the shipper or partner that generates the most retyping or tracking calls. That first connection sets up the validation, status mapping and alerting that later ones reuse.
Keeping references together
Store the shipper's reference, your job number and each partner's reference on every job, so any party's query can be found quickly.
Questions about API integration for logistics companies
How can shippers send bookings automatically?
Through your API, an agreed file exchange or an EDI format they already use.
Why translate partner tracking codes?
So shippers see consistent status whichever partner carried the goods.
What if a partner sends an unknown code?
Map it to an exception status and alert someone.
How is proof of delivery returned?
Sent to the shipper's system or portal as soon as it arrives, linked to their reference.
Do smaller shippers need an integration?
Usually a client portal serves them better.
How are extra charges captured?
Recorded during the job and passed to invoicing with evidence.
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